Portsmouth youngsters get taste of life at big school ahead of new term

Moving up to secondary school can be a scary step for young people to take.

So staff at Admiral Lord Nelson School in Copnor held two weeks of transition workshops to get youngsters ready for the big move.

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM ALNS (RS) MRW 14/8/2014 ''Admiral Lord Nelson School have been organising a 'Summer School' for those pupils who will be joining the school in September ''Caught ! - (left) Harry Willett (11) feels the force - as PC Lee Gott (44) based at Fratton Police Station, tries a pair of handcuffs on him ! ''Picture: Malcolm Wells (142357-5015) PPP-140814-003548003

Children from primary schools in the area, including Copnor Junior School, were invited in to get ready to join Year 7 in September.

The school offered workshops and taster classes to get the children used to what will be their new surroundings.

Zoe Sampson is the leader of parent and student engagement at the school and has been working alongside classroom teaching assistant Jason Sharp.

Zoe said: ‘It helps them build up confidence ready for starting in September.

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM ALNS (RS) MRW 14/8/2014 ''Admiral Lord Nelson School have been organising a 'Summer School' for those pupils who will be joining the school in September ''(left) Jordan Moore (11) has his totem pole 'face' checked-out by teacher Katrina Henderson (32) ''Picture: Malcolm Wells (142357-4974) PPP-140814-003537003

‘We wanted it to be fun for them.

‘And it helps them because they get to know Admiral Lord Nelson School with just a few kids in it.

‘They get to know where the classrooms are and they get to meet some of the teachers and build relationships with them before everybody else.

‘They make new friends that they wouldn’t necessarily have known.

‘It’s been brilliant, it’s been really enjoyable.’

Children went on trips to Action Stations at the Historic Dockyard and to Paultons Park.

They also had taster lessons in English, maths, science, languages and ICT.

And the children had a visit from Hampshire police officers who worked with them and shared tales about their job.

Zoe added: ‘The police came in to help out and break down barriers to support youngsters and let them know that the police are nice people.